The Rath Foundation - An Enduring Legacy at UW-Madison

Because my Rath scholarship included a research position, I had the opportunity to work with incredible scholars on the subject of state-level democracy, a topic which is interesting to me on the levels of both minute detail and broad societal importance. This research work also gave me a different perspective from that in my classes and clinics; it gave me the chance to take a step back and consider the systems that shape our country's (and states' and cities') policies, which I often experienced on a more individualized scale in my clinical work and day-to-day life. My life and work have been so enriched by my research, and I am thankful that the Rath scholarship gave me the chance to engage in such compelling and important work. I came to law school knowing that I wanted to do public interest work, especially as a public defender, but I also knew that the cost of law school would make achieving that goal incredibly difficult. Because of my Rath scholarship, I have been able to dedicate myself to public interest work both during law school and afterward. Because my tuition was covered by the scholarship, and I did not need to focus on earning enough to be able to pay for school, I was able to spend my summers working with the Legal Assistance to Incarcerated People project and Mississippi's capital postconviction counsel, developing incredible relationships with my clients and learning a great deal along the way. Additionally, because I do not have any law school debt thanks to the Rath scholarship, I have been able to accept my dream job, working as a public defender in New Jersey. I am thrilled to be able to put my education to use helping those in need. My life has been immeasurably impacted by the generosity of the Rath Foundation, and I am grateful to be able to use that benefit in service of others.

Jennifer Gisi JD'23 Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Juris Doctor Cum Laude

Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender, & Society

“My life has been immeasurably impacted by the generosity of the Rath Foundation, and I am grateful to be able to use that benefit in service of others.”

Thank you so much.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAW SCHOOL